Radiator or the like



Aug. 31,1926.v A .-1597--733 v L. QSULE RADIATOR-v OR THE LIKE 'Filed Dec. 2s, 1922 4 sneetg-svheeti 4 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 28, 1922 4f .E

Aug. 31 1926. v

L. C. SOULE RADIATOR 0R THE LIKE Filed Dec. 28, 1922 n 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 L. C. SOULE RADIATOR OR THE LIKE Aug. 31 1926.

Filed Deo. 28', 1922 4 sheets-sheet 4 ,4 fran/5K5,

Patented Aug. 3l, 1926.

UNITED STA/TES 1,597,133 PATENT OFFICE.

LAWRENCE C. SOULE, OF CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO CARRIER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, TNC.; OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

RADIATOR OR THE LIKE.

Application filed December 28, 1922. Serial No. 609,874.

This invention relates to tubular radiators or heaters of that kind comprising radiating tubes through' which steam or other medium is caused to flow, and which are 5 separated by spaces for the passage of air or other medium; The radiator or heater herein illustrated and described as a practical embodiment of my invention is primarily designed as a steam heater, steam be-4 l ing used in the heater for heating air which is caused to pass through the spaces between the external radiating surfaces of the tubes, but the invention is not restricted in application to steam heaters for air, since l radiators embodying the invention are adapted for use either for heating or cooling purposes, depending upon the relative temperatures of the medium flowing through the tubes and the medium which contacts with the external surfaces of the tube.

One object of the invention is to provide an etlicient radiator or heater which is strong and durable, but in which the radiat ing tubes and headers therefor are made of relatively thin brass or analogous metal of high conductivity, thus making a light radiator giving the maximum radiation.

Other objects are to produce a radiatoror' heater ,of high 'efficiency and large capacity. which is of light and comparatively inexpensive construction, and in which the radiating parts are protected from injury, dis# tortion or mutilation by a protecting frame; also to construct a radiator or heater of sections or units which are interchangeable and reversible and adapted to be readily assem bled end to end, or face to face, with the minimum labor and expense to produce radiators or "heaters of a wide variety of dif'- ferent, desired sizes and capacities; also to provide lthe several radiator units or sections With frames which protect the tubes and headers of the units or sections and prevent injury or mutilation thereof in handling or shipping the same, and which frames cooperate, when assembling a plurality of the units in one radiatorto form a protecting vframe for the complete radiator or heater, theframe being of a construction which avoids the necessity for any other or additional casing for the radiator or heater; ,also to mount the radiator units or sectionsin their supporting or protecting frames so as to properly protect and support 'the former, while nevertheless permitting free expansion yand contraction of the radiating tubes and headers independently of the protecting frames; also to provide the radiator units or. sections with tube headers which are of novel construction and formed of light, pressed metal; also to construct the tube headers of a light pressed metal shell and a flexible tube plate in which the radiating tubes are secured, and which is formed and connected with the header shell so as to permit free movement of the tube plate due to expansion and contraction of the parts, without liability of breaking or weakening the joints between the parts of the header or causing leaks in the header; also to connect the header shell and tube plate by interlocking, folded seams o r joints lwhich strengthen the header, and to construct andarrange the radiator unit and its protecting vframe so that the radiator is supported in the frame by means of the strong, -folded joints of the headers; and also to improve the radiators or heaters in the other respects hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawin s Fig. 1 is a side elevation o a sectional radiator or heater embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Figa 3 is a fragmentary side elevation partly.in section thereof, on an enlar scale.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevatlon' thereof on line 4 4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the lower por- 00 tion of the radiator.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through the lower portion of the radiator on line 6 6, Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view ofthe radlator on the same scale as Figs. 3-6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the connection between one of the headers and the pipe coupling for the same.

Fig. 9 is a sectional perspective view` of one end of one of the tubeplates.-

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the header shells.

Figs. 11 and 12 are transverse sections of the header shell on lines 11-11 and 12-12 respectively, Fig. 10.

The radiator or heater is composed ofany desired number, one or more, of sections or units A, B and C, which are alike except that they are preferably made in 110 riphery by an interlocking, folded seam or* three different lengths, in such ratio to each other that radiators of practicall any length which is a multiple of the di erence in length between two sections can be readily made by using one of the sections, or different combinations of two or more of the sections. For instance, by making the sections two, three and four and one-half feet Each radiator section or unit comprises parallel, spaced, radiating tubes 15, preferably arranged vertically and connected at their ends to opposite, or upper and lower headers which are respectively connected with suitable inlet and outlet pipes so that steam or other` medium admitted to one of the headers passes through the radiating tubes to the other header and' discharges through the outlet pipe connected with the latter header. The radiator tubes are preferably thin tubes of brass or other metalof high conductivity provided with radiating fins formed bythm strips or ribbons of brass or the like wound heli'call around the tubes and soldered or brazed t ereon. Tubes of any other construction adapted to give the re uired radiation can be used.

ach header consists of a relatively thin 'shell 16, of brass or other metal of suitable conductivity, formed into trough-like shape by pressin or drawing, and a tube plate 17 having ho es in which-the radiating tubes ,are secured and which is attached at its pejoint 18 .with the peripheral edge of the shell 16. Preferably ythe shell 16 tapers or decreases in depth from its middle portion toward its opposite ends, and the wall 19 thereof forming the bottom of the trough is also referably crowned or curved ,transverse y and is connected by rounded.7 corners 20 to the sidewalls 'of the shell, see particu larly Figs. 10-12. The header shell also has formed integrally therewith an outwardly projecting, central neck 21`for connecting a pipe coupling to the header. The tube plate 17s'ee Fig. 9, is provided with va flat, marginal portion 22 adaptedto bear at a ainst an outwardly projecting peripheral 'ange 23 on the shell, and with an angular, peripheral flange 24- which is adapted to surround tli'e flange 23 of the shell. and to be bent inwardly over 'the flaiige23 to form a folded or lock seam or joint for securing the tube plate to the shell. The body portion of the tube plate is offset inwardly from its marginal portion 22, forming a snoulder 25, which is adapted to fit within and bear against the rim of the header shell. This shoulder braces the side and end walls of the lshell 'and prevents the deflection of the same when turning in the flange 245 of the tube plate to form the joint between the tube plate and the shell, and thus insures a strong, tight lock joint between the parts. In addition, the shoulder 25, which is connected with the body portion of the tube plate by a curved or rounded corner, permits the body of the tube plate-to expand and contract and iiex inwardly and outwardly during the expansion and contraction of the radiating tubes without causing appreciable movement inthe peripheral portions of the plate forming the joint. The joint connecting the tube plate and shell is thus relieved of the working or action which would'otherwise occur therein, and which would result in weaken-Xv ing or breaking the joint and causing a leak in the header. The tube-receiving holes 1n the tube plate are surrounded b inbent lips or flanges 26 in which the ra 'ating tubes are secured, the-tubes preferabl havin a driven fit in these flanged holes or securing the tubes to the tube plate. The tube plate is also preferably provided with an outwardly-bent bead or bulge'27 surrounding each tube-securing hole to further strengthen the joints between the tubes and the tube plate and permit ,of the above-mentioned flexing or movement of the tube plate during the expansion and contraction of the radiating tubes without opening or weakening the joints between the plate and thetubes.

. One of the headers ofeach radiator section or unit, preferably the upper header, is connected with an admission or supply pipe for the steam or other fluid, and the other headeris connected with an outlet or exhaust pipe for the steam and water of condensation or other fluid. The connection of each header with the pipe is prefer ably formed as follows, see Figs. 6 and 8:

l The integral neck or flan e 21 of the header is bent outwardly over t e inner edge of a coupling ring or fitting 28, which bears against the wall 19 of header shell around the neck 21. Preferably the ring 28 has a bevelled or flaring, inner face on which the out-bent edge of the neck bears, and the neck is clamped tightly against this face b a pipe flange or coupllng member 29 whic has a conical or tapering lip 30 adapted to enter and bear against the out-bent neck 21. and which is secured to the ring 28 by bolts 31 or other suitable fasteningmeans. A strong, steam-tiight joint is thus formed between the hea er and the pipe flange 29 which is provided with a screw threaded Opening or other suitable means for the attachment of the flange of the admission or outlet pipe. When a radiator is composed of a plurality of sections arranged end to I end, a main supply pipe 33 and a main outlet or exhaust pipe 34 are provided, extending lengthwise along the radiator, the supply pipe being connected by branch pipes 35 and suitable fittings to 1nipples 36, which are secured to the pipe flanges 29 on the headers at one end of the several sections, and the outlet or exhaustpipe is similarly arranged and connected by branch pipes 37 and nipples 38 to the other headers of the several sections. Where, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the radiator is composedl of sections arranged face to face, or one in front of the other, as well as end to end, a main supply pipe 33, and a main exhaust pipe 34 is provided for each row of sections, each main supply and exhaust pipe being connected to the several sections, as explained, and each being provided with a hand valve 39 for controlling each bank of heaters.

The supporting and protecting frame of each radiator unit or section is preferably constructed as follows 40 and 41 represent respectively bottom and top horizontal frame bars or members each preferably consisting of a pressed steel channel piece having vertical flanges extending around the sides and ends of the member. These members are alike but the bottom member 40 is arranged with its flanges projecting downwardly while the top member 414 is arranged with its flanges projecting upwardly. The frame members 40 and 41 are connected by vertical end frame bars or mem-bers 43 and 44, each preferably consisting of a pressed steel channel piece having integral, outwardly projecting peripheral flanges. The ends of the upper and lower frame members 40 and 41 project outwardly beyond the ends of the headers of the radiator section, and the end frame members 43 and 44 arel arranged between and riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the projecting ends of the upper and lower members, as clearly shown in F igs.' 3, 6 and 7. The end frame members 43 and 44 shown in the drawings, are formed with depressed central portions forming panels 45 on the members which project inwardly between the headers towards the adjacent radiator tubes and serve to reduce the air spaces which would otherwise be left between the end frame members and the tubes, and thus offer obstruction to the passage of air through these spaces.

tom frame bar 40, in front and in rear of the lower header, are two angle bars or pieces 47, and similarly arranged and .se-A

cured to the upper frame bars arel front and rear angle .bars or pieces 48. The anglel bars have horizontal, outwardly projecting flanges which are riveted o-r otherwise suitably secured to the frame bars, and the vertical flanges 49 of the angle bars 47 at the lower end ofthe frame extend upwardly upon the upper edges of the vertical flanges of the lower angles 47. The radiator is thus supported on these anglebars while the lock joint flanges 18. of the upper header extend outwardly beneath the vertical flange f' of the upper angles 48. In order to permit? the necessary expansion of the radiator tubes, a slight 'but sufficient clearance is left between the upper angle bars 48 and the flanges of the upper header. Whether the radiator is hot and expanded, or cold, the headers are confined and retained in place between and protected by the angle bars of the protecting n frame, and in the handling and shipping of the radiator units the weight of the tubes and headers is carried by the stiff, strong flanges of one or the other of the headers bearing on the an le bars of the protecting frame. These-sti flanges at the ends ofthe headers are also adapted by engagement with the end bars 43 and 44 of the frame to, prevent injury to the radiator incase of side thrusts thereeon, or in case the, radiator should be stood or dropped on one of the end frame bars. The tubes and the walls of the headers are thus relieved from weight or pressure and protected from injurious contact with any part of the protecting frame. The protecting frame extends around the top, bottom and opposite ends of the radiator section, and the frame bars or members project forwardly and rearwardly beyond the radiator tubes and headers, so that these parts which are formed ofcomparatively thin metal, are prevented from coming'in contact with objects and being thereby deformed yor injured. lfVhen joining two or more of the radiator sections together to form a multiple unit radiator, the end flanges of the top and bottom frame bars 4() and 41 are adapted to abut end to end and to 'be secured together in this posit-ion byA bolts 50, see Figs. 3 and 6, connecting the end flanges of the top and bottom frame members. When two sections are thus connected end to end, the adjacent end bars 43 Y and 44 of the two sections abut edge to edge Extending along and secured to the bot-` and fill in the space between the tubes ofthe adjacent` sections or units, Thus when two "or more sections are joined together end to end in a radiator, the rectangular protecting frames of. the several units abut and are connected end to end and 4form a rectangul lllf:

. heater.

lar protecting and strengthening frame eX- tending around. and protecting the several sections or units. Similarly, when it is desired to connect up two radiators or sections face-to face, or one in front of the other, the/frame barsof the units abut face to face and the units can be secured together inl this position one in front of the other by bolts 5l extending through the abutting, horizontal flanges of the to-p and bottom frame bars. The several parts of a radiator unit or section are alike top and 'bottom and end for end, so that theV parts are interchangeable, thereby facilitating the assembly of the samev and reducing the cost of production. Furthermore, each section or unit as a whole is alike top and bottom, end for end and front and back. so that the units are reversible and interchangeable and it is practically impossible to incorrectly join them in a multiple unit -radiator or I claim as my invention v 1. A tubular radiator comprising a plurality of sections, each section comprising opposite headers connected by radiating tubes, and a rectangular protecting frame Afor said section comprising upper and lower fra-me bars connected"by end bars, the frames for adjacent radiatorsections being connected end'to lend-and forming a pro'- -tecting frame for-the several sections.

2. A tubular radiator comprising apluv.rality of sections, each section compr1s1ng opposite headers connected by radiating tubes, and a rectangular protecting frame for said section compr1sing upper and lower frame bars connected by end bars, the :trames for adjacent radiator sections being connected side by side and forminga pr tecting frame for the several sections.

3.' A tubular radiator comprising a plurality of sections, each section comprising opposite headers connected by radiating tubes, and a rectangulary protecting frame for said .sections comprising upper and-lowerv channel-shaped frame bars, and channel-shaped' end bars connecting the ends of said u er'and lower frame bars, said sections bemg secured end to end by fastenings connectingthe ends of the upper and lowver frame bars of the adjacent sections.

4. A radiator comprising opposite lhead-` ers connected by radiating tubes, anda rectangular protecting trame fosaid 'radiator comprising upper and lower channelshaped frame bars which project beyond the ends of said header, and channelshaped end frame bars whichlare arranged between andconnect the projecting ends of.

comprising a plurality of sections, each sec-V of the radiator, and spaced/members at opposite ends of said frame between which" said headers are confined and against which the flanges of the' headers are adapted to bear.

7. A radiator comprising upper and lower headers connected by radiatin tubes, said lower header having outward y projecting flanges, a protecting frame for said radiator, spaced members at the lower portion of said frame between which the lower header is. con ed and on which the flanges of said header are adapted to bear to support the radiator, and spaced members at the upper portion of said frame between 'which the upper header is loosely confined.

8. A radiator comprising upper and lower headers connected by radiating tubes, said headers having outwardly projecting flanges, a protecting frame for said radiator, spaced members at the lower portionof said frame between which the lower header is confined and on which the flanges of said` header are adapted to bear to support the radiator, and spaced members at the upper portion of said frame between which the upper header 'is loosely confined and against which the flanges of the upper header are adapted to bear.

'9. A radiator comprising upper and lower headers connected bye radiating tubes,

said headers having outwardly projecting.

flanges, a protecting frame for said radiator, spaced angle bars connected to the lower p ortion of said frame at the front and rear of the lower header and on which i the flanges of the lower header bear, spaced angle bars secured to-the upper portion of the frame at the front and rear of the upper header and against which the flanges of the upper heade are adapted to bear. 10. The combin nfof -a 'radiator comprising a plurality, radiating tubes and a header for* the-several tubes, said header having flexible walls and outwardly projecting strengthening flanges, a protectin frame iri'which the radiator is arrange and spaced members on said frame between which said 4header is confined and a ainst which the flanges ofthe headervare a apted to bear. t

11. A rad1ator comprismgoppos1te.{headers connected by radiating tubes, each of said headers comprising an open sided metal shell and a tube plate in which said tubes are secured, said tube plate and shell being joined by interlocking folded joint parts and said tube plate being flexible and having a curved marginal shoulder engaging the rim of said shell.

12. A radiator having a plurality of radiating tubes and a header for the several tubes, said header comprising an elongated trough-shaped pressed metal shell, and a flexible tube plate in which the tubes are secured and which closes the open sidevof said shell, the wall of said shell opposite said tube plate being curved both longitudinally and transversely and said shell having a peripheral flange with which the marginal portions f the tube plate are interlocked to form a lockscam joint between the tube plate and the shell.

13. A radiator comprising opposite head- -ers connected by radiating tubes, each of said headers comprising a substantially flat flexible tube plate in which the tubes are secured, and an elongated trough-shaped pressed metal shell to which said tube plate is secured at its periphery by folded lock seam joints, vsaid shell'decreasing in depth frm its central portion toward its opposite GD. S.

14. `A radiator comprising opposite headers connected by radiating tubes, eachv of said headers` comprising a pressed metal shell which is provided between its. ends with an integral outwardly projecting neck, and a 'pipe flange and a clamping ring between which said neck is clamped, said pipe flange and clamping ring being arranged externally of said header, and said pipe flange having means for the connection of a pipe thereto.

15. A header for the radiating tubes of a tubular radiator, comprising a substantially flat flexible tube plate in which said tubes are secured, and an elongated ltroughlike pressed metal shell having'substantially parallel side walls connected by a longitudinally and transversely curved wall, said tube plate and shell being joined by a peripheral lock seam joint.

1G. A radiator comprising radiating tubes and a header for said tubes, said header comprising a llexible tube plate in which said tubes are secured, and a trough'- like shell with flexible walls, said tube plate and shell beingV joined by a peripheral folded lock seam joint forming avprojectling stiff flange of severa-l thicknesses, and

a support on which said radiator rests by said flange.

LAWRENCE C. SOULE.

soV 

